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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 21:6

Shall wash their hands over the heifer - Washing the hands, in reference to such a subject as this, was a rite anciently used to signify that the persons thus washing were innocent of the crime in question. It was probably from the Jews that Pilate learned this symbolical method of expressing his innocence. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 21:1

Verse 1 1.If one be found slain in the land. This Supplement: is of a mixed character, relating partly to the civil, and partly to the criminal law. We are informed by it how precious to God is the life of man; for, if a murder had been committed by some unknown person, He requires an expiation to be made, whereby the neighboring cities should purge themselves from the pollution of the crime. Whence it appears that the earth is so polluted by human blood, that those who encourage murder by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 21:6

Verse 6 6.And all the elders of that city. The washing of their hands had the effect of stirring them up the more, so that they should not inconsiderately protest in that solemn rite that they were pure and guiltless; for it was just as if they had presented the corpse of the dead mall before God, and had stood themselves opposite to it to purge away the crime. At the same time, also, they ask for pardon, because it might have been through their carelessness that the man was smitten; and again,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

EXPOSITION EXPIATION OF UNCERTAIN MURDER . TREATMENT OF A CAPTIVE TAKEN TO WIFE . RIGHTS OF THE FIRSTBORN . A REBELLIOUS , REFRACTORY SON TO BE JUDGED AND PUNISHED . A MALEFACTOR WHO HAS BEEN HANGED TO BE BURIED ERE NIGHTFALL . One general idea, viz. the sacredness of human life and of personal rights, connects the laws in this chapter together, as well as connects them with the laws in the two preceding chapters. If a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

The preciousness of one human life in the sight of God. The value of this paragraph can be duly appreciated only as the indifference with which pagan nations of old regarded human life is studied and understood. As a piece of civil legislation, it is far superior to anything in the code of the nations around at that time. Dr. Jameson remarks that in it we have undoubtedly the origin or the germ of modern coroners' inquests. The following points in it are worthy of note. 1. It is a rule... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Atonement for unknown sin. We have here a ritual applicable to cases where murder has not been expiated by the apprehension and execution of the murderer. The mystery has remained unraveled. The elders and judges, in such a case, are to come and measure which city is nearest the slain man, and the elders of that city are then required to take the heifer prescribed and make atonement, that the country may be delivered from the guilt of innocent blood. The heifer is to be one in the full... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

Purification from guilt of an uncertain murder. The explanation commonly given of this peculiar ceremony seems unsatisfactory. Keil's view, that "it was a symbolical infliction of the punishment that should have been borne by the murderer, upon the animal which was substituted for him," is contradicted by the fact that, for deliberate murder, the Law, as he admits, provided no expiation, while the object of this ceremony was plainly in some way to remove blood-guiltiness. Fairbairn's... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:1-9

The creation of righteous, public sentiment. The influence of man upon man is omnific; it touches him at every point. The potency of influence depends on character, rank, age, station. The character of kings is soon reflected on their courtiers. From this principle is born the adage, "Like priest, like people." Crimes proceed from depraved sentiment, and sentiment can be purified by righteous influence. I. CRIME COVETS CONCEALMENT . All crime is cowardly, base, mean. It fears the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:3

An heifer, which hath not boon wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke ; a young cow which had not been rendered unfit for consecration, nor had its vital force impaired, by being subjected to forced labor (cf. Numbers 19:2 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 21:4

A rough valley ; literally, a stream of perpetuity , a perennial stream (cf. Psalms 74:15 , Authorized Version, "mighty rivers;" Amos 5:24 ); but here rather the valley or wady through which a stream flowed, as is evident from its being described as neither eared —that is, ploughed (literally, wrought , tilled ) — nor sown ; a place which had not been profaned by the hand of man, but was in a state of nature. "This regulation as to the locality in which the act of... read more

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